Judge pleads guilty to hearing relative’s case

A Kupang District Court judge is facing dismissal after a disciplinary hearing found him guilty of having a conflict of interest, kompas.com reported.

“I was wrong, and I regret my actions,” judge Rizet Benyamin Rafael told the disciplinary council comprising the Supreme Court justices and Judicial Commission members on Tuesday.

The council said Rizet had committed a serious violation of the judge code of ethics for hearing a domestic violence case reported by his relative Lili Tanjung against her husband Vence. The panel of judges acquitted Vence from charges.

Rizet was also accused of meeting with people when their case was in process, also a serious violation of the code of ethics.

If Rizet is found guilty, the disciplinary council will recommend his dismissal.